▲ Foreign Minister Cho Hyun (L) speaks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the start of their talks in Washington on Feb. 3, 2026, in this photo provided by the foreign ministry in Seoul. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

UN-NK sanctions exemption

U.N. Security Council to grant sanctions exemption for humanitarian aid to N. Korea: source

By Kim Seung-yeon

SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- The U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions committee on North Korea has decided to grant a sanctions exemption for humanitarian aid projects in the reclusive state, a diplomatic source said Friday.

The UNSC 1718 Committee, which enforces and oversees the sanctions against Pyongyang, reached the unanimous decision on Thursday (local time) to approve the waiver for 17 humanitarian assistance projects led by South Korea, the United States and international organizations, according to the source.

The decision came after a senior South Korean government official hinted at a "new development" in North Korea-related issues "in the next few days," following talks between Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington.

The official signaled the breakthrough would be a "good-faith gesture" that could serve as a starting point in reengaging with the North.

The procedures regarding sanctions exemptions for humanitarian aid projects in North Korea had been pending for months since the first half of last year.

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